A good night out in Philadelphia usually covers two or three neighborhoods: dinner in one, a show or a bar in another. Two facts shape how it ends. Bars stop serving at 2 a.m., and the subway does not run overnight. So the question to settle before the first drink is simple: who is getting everyone home?
Where should you go for dinner?
Rittenhouse Square, Old City and East Passyunk Avenue are the usual starting points. Rittenhouse and Old City keep you close to Center City hotels and the after-dinner neighborhoods; East Passyunk is a South Philadelphia restaurant street with a neighborhood feel, a short drive from the stadiums and South Street.
What does BYOB mean in Philadelphia?
Bring your own bottle. Many Philadelphia restaurants have no liquor license and invite you to bring wine or beer instead. It is a local tradition with a reason behind it: in the 1990s, with rising costs and a limited number of liquor licenses, independent restaurateurs went without and asked guests to BYOB, which became a trend across the region, according to Visit Philadelphia. Check when you reserve, and it is one more reason to leave the car keys at home.
Where do people go after dinner?
| Neighborhood | Known for | A venue to know | From City Hall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishtown and Northern Liberties | Bars and live music | The Fillmore Philadelphia, 29 E Allen Street | 2.5 road miles |
| North Broad Street | Concerts and shows | The Met Presented by Highmark, 858 N Broad Street | 1.2 road miles |
| South Street and Queen Village | Late bars and music | Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street, by day | 1.3 road miles |
| Avenue of the Arts | Theatre and concerts | The Walnut Street Theatre, staging plays since 1809 | In Center City |
| Fairmount Park (summer) | Outdoor concerts | Highmark Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue | 5.2 road miles |
What time does a Philadelphia night out end?
At 2 a.m. for drinks. Pennsylvania’s licensed bars and restaurants may sell alcohol until 2:00 a.m. and must be empty by 2:30 a.m.; licensed private clubs can serve until 3 a.m., according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. That means everyone leaves at once, and the curb outside a busy bar at 2:15 a.m. is the hardest place in the city to find a ride.
How do you get everyone home?
You have four choices, and the right one depends on how many of you there are and where you live.
| Option | Works best for | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| A designated driver | Two or three people who live near each other | One person stays sober and does several drop-offs |
| Rideshare | One or two people heading one way | Prices can rise and waits lengthen when every bar empties at once |
| SEPTA overnight | People near an Owl bus route | From midnight to 5 a.m., Owl buses replace the L and Broad Street Line trains, per SEPTA |
| A booked car | Groups, several stops or a late finish | It has to be booked ahead, with a minimum number of hours |
For one or two people heading one way, a rideshare is the cheapest. For a group, several stops or a 2 a.m. finish, a car booked by the hour keeps everyone together, waits at each stop and drops each guest home in turn. Book it to about 2:45 a.m. if you plan to stay to last call.
A simple plan for a group of six
- 7:00 p.m.: dinner in Old City, BYOB if you checked ahead.
- 9:00 p.m.: a show on North Broad or the Avenue of the Arts.
- 11:00 p.m.: drinks in Fishtown, 2.5 miles from City Hall.
- 2:00 a.m.: last call; the car is already outside.
- 2:45 a.m.: everyone dropped home, in turn.
See night out car service for how booking works, a night out in Philadelphia by black car for the city-side details, or nights out from South Jersey if you are crossing the river. For a concert, concert transportation covers each venue.
Frequently asked questions
What does BYOB mean in Philadelphia restaurants?
Bring your own bottle: many restaurants without a liquor license let you bring wine or beer to dinner.
What time do bars close in Philadelphia?
Licensed bars stop serving at 2 a.m. and must be empty by 2:30 a.m. Licensed private clubs can serve until 3 a.m.
Does the subway run all night in Philadelphia?
No. From midnight to 5 a.m., SEPTA runs Owl buses in place of the L and Broad Street Line trains.
Can one car drop everyone home?
Yes. Each guest is dropped in turn at the end of the night.
Is a night out car cheaper than rideshares?
For one or two people, rideshares are usually cheaper. For a group with several stops, a booked car often compares well.
How late can we stay out?
As late as the hours you book; call our team to extend if the car is free.
